ISLAMIC THOUGHT INSTITUTE (ITI) DIRECTOR
. IMMC seeks a dynamic Scholar/Activist and highly organized Director to lead and continue to build on IMMC’s new Islamic Thought Institute’s foundation.
The Director should support ITI’s vision, mission, and values and align with the overall museum’s vision. This is an exciting time for IMMC as it continues its 20-Year journey and begins to transfer leadership roles from the museum’s co-founders to a new generation of leaders without compromising the values IMMC was founded upon. The co-founders and board are committed to the continued growth and sustainability of the museum. Please see attachment 1 to this job description to learn more about IMMC and ITI.
IMMC’s new Islamic Thought Institute (ITI) is the driver for our social justice work and the research and scholarly engine for the Museum. Thus, ITI’s Director works in partnership with the Executive Director. ITI, a collaboration with Tougaloo and Millsaps Colleges, is established as a think tank for the study of Islamic Thought, history, and culture, with a focus on Human Dignity/Human Rights and Democracy, governance, and leadership and their application to solving contemporary global problems.
Through ITI, IMMC has positioned itself as a hub for Islamic studies, African American historical studies, interfaith discussion, and a wholesome form of civic activism. To accomplish the social justice work and educational goals of IMMC's 2020 five-Year Strategic Plan, the Museum recently consolidated all its educational activities under ITI. This includes conferences, educational outreach, and the development of a complete educational curriculum (the Timbuktu Human Dignity Curriculum).
POSITION SUMMARY:
The ITI Director reports to the Co-founder and board member, Okolo Rashid, and will have day-to-day oversight of all ITI operations, with an active presence across the state, and nationally. He or she will build interfaith and broad-based collaborative partnerships to ensure that ITI’s strategic goals are achieved. The Director will be ITI’s representative to the public and community partners and will work closely in partnership with IMMC Executive Director.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Engagement
Organize, cultivate, and maintain strategic interfaith and broad-based partnerships throughout the community to enhance ITI’s reputation, brand, and standing locally, regionally, and nationally.
Provide leadership for ITI as a visible spokesperson who communicates internally and externally its direction and vision, and tell IMMC’s powerful story, to build commitment and support.
Leadership and Administration
Provide inspirational leadership and direction and ensure the continued managerial and team-building of a diverse and inclusive ITI staff and development of a professional and efficient Institute.
Oversee all ITI’s day-to-day operations, with a special emphasis on program activities, to ensure the highest quality research, outreach, and programming.
Lead staff, and work closely with the Executive Director, and the Board to develop a comprehensive plan of activities for engaging ITI’s team of consultants and scholars, along with our network of over 100 Mississippi and national organization leaders.
Exhibitions Support
Collaborate with Executive Director to provide research associated with IMMC’s planned exhibits and related educational and outreach efforts
Lead the development of educational outreach associated with IMMC’s exhibitions
Organization Mission and Strategy:
Work with the Board and staff to update ITI’s strategic plan and to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through programs, activism, execution of the recent strategic plan, and community outreach.
Financial Performance and Viability:
Responsible for the fiscal integrity of ITI, including submission to the Board and Executive Director a proposed annual budget for ITI.
Responsible for the fiscal management of ITI that generally anticipates operating within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintenance of ITI in a positive financial position.
Support IMMC Executive Director and Development Director and Board in fundraising and developing other resources necessary to support ITI’s mission.
Board Governance:
· Work with the board to fulfill ITI’s mission. Serves as a member of the Board of Directors and reports to the Board
· Responsible for leading ITI in a manner that supports and guides the organization’s mission as defined by the Board of Directors.
· Responsible for communicating effectively with the Board and providing, in a timely and accurate manner, all information necessary for the Board to function properly and to make informed decisions. Collaborate with all board committees and provide whatever support the committees need to perform their work.
· Work with the Board Chairman and Executive Director to provide meeting agenda in relation to ITI’s work.
QUALIFICATIONS:
· An individual, who reflects the practices, values, and ethics of Islam, has strong knowledge of the faith and of the Diversity of the Muslim community and embraces pluralism, diversity, and inclusion. A deep understanding of the tafsir (teachings) of Imam Warith Deen Mohammed is a prerequisite for this position.
· Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, at all levels with a firm command of the English language.
· Knowledge of human resource management, project management, and financial management.
· Ability to administrate and prioritize varied workloads, executing appropriate judgment and confidentiality.
· Proven leadership experience, including vision casting, talent development, talent evaluation, and strategic implementation.
· Experience and interest in community outreach and interfaith activities.
· Team player with a positive service-oriented attitude.
· Basic understanding of compliance and risk management.
· Successfully supervised diverse staff
The successful candidate must have/be:
· At least 5 years of senior management experience and supervisory experience (staff and volunteers), preferably at a Not-for-Profit
· At least 5 years of experience in activism and community organizing
· At least 5 years of experience in research and outreach
· A Bachelor’s degree with a relevant major such as history, political science, Islamic studies, international affairs, sociology, education, or related social science field. An advanced degree is preferred.
· Fluent in oral and written English; proficiency in the Arabic language is a plus
· Willing to travel (10-20% of the time)
· Willing to relocate to Jackson, Mississippi
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
IMMC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, holidays, and professional development.
APPLICATION AND INQUIRIES:
Please submit a cover letter and resume with a summary of demonstrable accomplishments to asma.hashmi@muslimmuseum.org. The position will stay open until filled. For questions or general inquiries about this job opportunity, please contact sister Asma Hashmi at asma.hashmi@muslimmuseum.org.